Known for taking up versatile roles, Sharad Kelkar will soon make a comeback on the small screen with a detective thriller. He speaks to R Sharma
A detective sees the unseen, hears what is unheard and notices the minute often ignored facts. For he has the power of a sixth sense which can analyse a person’s intentions through facial expressions and manner of speech.If you have already formed an image of Dr Poirot or Sherlock Holmes in your mind then pause and think of an Indian television actor stepping into the shoes of a homicide and criminal detective. In the past, veteran actors like Rajit Kapur, Vijay Anand and many more have essayed the role of a detective. But this time, Sharad Kelkar, known for his versatile roles like Nahar Singh in Saat Phere, Satya in Uttaran et al. is going to come on our television screens with the forthcoming, detective thriller, Agent Raghav.
It is needless to say that the show falls in the genre of crime, which will see Kelkar cracking and solving the toughest of cases. The actor who was last seen in the movie, Ramleela informs that he was part of the team right from the time it was conceptualised. “The creative team wanted me to play an active role during the process of narration, script-writing and general discussion regarding the show. I know a lot about Agent Raghav not because I am playing the character but I have been informed and taught so much about him that I know even the minutest of details about him,” says Kelkar.
He adds that it was not like any other show where he was handed over the script and asked to say his dialogues. He learnt about Raghav’s strengths and weaknesses very closely which was possible because of his involvement with the production process. Elaborating more about his character, Kelkar explains that he is an agent without a gun. “Raghav is an agent with only one weapon — his mind,” says he. He adds that the character is an expert in reading body language. “He will notice very minute details like change in expressions, unseen tension on a culprit’s face and locate clues that actually help him unfold the mystery of a particular case. What I found intriguing about the character is his capacity to use his sharp mind in the right way,” adds Kelkar.
There are already a lot of detective thrillers which have made their way to the small screen. So, what sets Agent Raghav apartIJ Producer, Abhimanyu Singh has a ready answer, “We have tried to keep it subtle; the characters seem real who are not larger than life. They live normal life and they have their own unique quality,” says Kelkar.
Having produced shows like Sshh..koi hai, Adalat, Fear Files and now Agent Raghav, Singh, CEO, Contiloe thinks the show will let the audience have a deeper understanding of the crime genre. “With this venture, I want people to be more informed about this genre. We have tried to write a script and create characters that will leave an impression on the audience,” adds Singh. The show is slated to air on &tv from September 5. When asked about how he relates to the character, Kelkar proudly tells us that they share a lot of similarities. He elaborates, “I have always been right with my instincts. I observe people and that perception has turned out to be true. This is the quality that I have tried to project in the character of Agent Raghav as well,” says Kelkar.
